Cap-exploding device.



A. F. LENT.

GAP EXPLODING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 25, 1910.

976,814. Patented N0v.22, 1910.

Inventor AM 7 7%.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALVAH. F. LE'NT, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO CHARLES E. PAULUS, 0F NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 22. 1910.

To all whom it concern:

Be it known that I, ALVAH F. LENT, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Newark, county of Essex, and State of New Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful Cap-Exploding Device, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to devices for exploding paper percussion caps and the like, and comprises a simple and inexpensive device for the purpose, which is easily operated and which may be operated without liability of injury to the user.

The object of my invention is to produce a simple and inexpensive device of the character referred to which is easily operated and which may be operated without injury 110 the user. I

I will now proceed to describe my invention with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which one form of the device embodying my invention is illustrated.

In said drawing: Figure l shows a side view of the device; Fig. 2 a perspective elevation thereof; Fig. 3 a perspective elevation of the anvil or cap-holding piece, slightly tilted; and Fig. 4 a perspective elevation of the hammer or striking piece, also slightly tilted.

In the drawing 1 designates a holder and guide, which in the form shown is a rectangular wooden stick,2 designates the anvil and cap-holding device which is mounted upon the stick 1, usually and preferably near the end thereof; and 3' designates a sliding hammer or striker arranged to slide back and forth upon the stick 1. This hammer is arranged to be retracted against the action of a suitable spring and to be drawn forward by such spring; and as a spring for this purpose, I employ an ordinary elastic rubber band 4, which at one end passes over a nail 5 (which nail also serves to hold the anvil 2 in place) said rubber band at its other end passing over a projection 6 on the rear of the hammer 3.

The anvil 2 is provided with a dovetailed recess 7 on the face adjacent the hammer 3, to receive the ca to be ex loded; and in Figs. 1 and 2 8 deslgnates sue a cap. The hammer 3 has a boss 9 adapted to enter said recess, and in the face of this boss there is a shallow-groove 10 serving as a vent for the explosion gases at the instant when the cap explodes. The anvil 2 has an angular rearward extension 11 provided with openlngs 12 and 13 for the passage of the stick 1, and with cross bars 14, 15 and 16, of which 14: and 16 are arranged'to be on one side of the stick, and 15 is arranged to be on the other side thereof. The hammer 3 is provided with a similar angular rearward extension 17, provided with apertures 18 and 19, and with cross bars 20, 21 and 22 of which 20 and 22 are arranged to be'on the upper side of the stick and 21 on the under side thereof. It will be seen that the forms of the hammer and anvil are such that these parts are readily cast in large numbers in multiple molds (that is to say, a large number of these devices may be cast simultaneously in molds contained within the same molding flask and gated to be poured at the same time. This is a common and well known method of producing simple cast articles such as these, in large quantities and requires 'no special description.)

In using the cap exploding device, the stick is held by the end opposite that on which the anvil 2 is mounted, and the hammer is drawn back, usually by the thumb of the operator; and a cap having been placed in the anvil, the hammer is released and allowed to be drawn forward by the rubber band, striking the cap held by the anvil and so causing the explosion thereof.

The construction of the device is such that the hand of the operator is at a considerable distance from the cap when the latter explodes, so that there is for that reason very little liability of particles of the cap or the explosive composition thereof,

flying back and burning the hand of the operator; also the construction of the parts is such that the fragments of the cap and of the ash from the explosive charge, tend to fly .upward rather than backward, the hammer 3 serving effectually as a shield to prevent these particles from flying backward.

What I claim is 1. 'A device such as described, comprising a guide, an anvil havin a base portion secured'to the guide, an an actuating portion extending upwardly from the guide, a hammer having a base portion mounted to slide on said guide, and an upright actuating portion, and an elastic band connecting saidhammer to a fixed portion of the device and tending normally to draw the hammer toward the anvil, said. anvil having in its guide.

3. A device such as described, comprising a dguide, and a hammer and an anvil mounte thereon, said hammer and anvll each comprising an upright actuating portion and rearwardly extending supporting ortion, the latter having two apertures 1n ine with one another for the passage of the guide, such rearwardly extending portion comprising cross pieces on opposite sldes of the guide.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ALVAH F. LENT.

H. M MARBLE, D. A. DAVIES. 

